The South Emperor had not appeared.
「Wu City, tavern.」
A refined middle-aged man sat by the window. The wide street, usually bustling, was now devoid of pedestrians.
On the table lay a bowl of tea and a gold-inlaid jade plaque with a dragon and phoenix design.
Two large, gilded characters were engraved on it: Anning.
It seemed to have been made overnight, as one could still see the shine of the gold tracings.
Mist wafted from the bowl of tea as the man's eyes quietly observed a tender leaf floating within.
An unknown amount of time passed. The tea in the bowl had completely cooled, and the tender leaf had sunk to the bottom.
The middle-aged man rose indifferently, looking out the window.
The person he was waiting for ultimately did not come.
Perhaps, just like decades ago, she had also not waited for him.
"My lord, it's getting late. It's time to go to the Ascension Platform," the slender man with a hoarse voice spoke.
